In the next assault on our country the Bush administration proposed no subsidy for Amtrak. From now on either drive, fly, or GET TO THE BACK OF THE BUS WHITEMAN! Anyone out there have any Amtrak stories to tell?

Amtrak I think is useful in highly populated areas, especially when there's large cities relatively near eachother, lots of people that don't have cars and can be integrated into other mass transit systems such as subways...mainly on the east and west coasts...in other places most people have cars and I don't think there's enough of a customer base to make it worthwhile. Europe I think is a similar situation, it is densely populated, lots of large cities near eachother, and fewer people with cars.

I thoroughly enjoy riding Amtrak. People don't ride it for speed, they ride it because they love trains and the sway of the cars as you push down the track. For me, it's all about the appreciation of the experience. Trains take you to unexplored territory where no bus or car may roam and some of the scenery is amazing.

There's a lot of freedom on trains. The coach seats are big enough to almost become a bed and you never want for leg room really. If you get tired of sitting, you can always mosey down to the lounge car.

Bush tried this once before, but it didn't make it through congress. I'm hoping the case will be the same this time.

I have never taken amtrak simply because it doesnt stop in my town, I would like to take amtrak, I think trains are cool and they would be a good alternative form of transportation. I wish more people did take trains and such.

In the next assault on our country the Bush administration proposed no subsidy for Amtrak. From now on either drive, fly, or GET TO THE BACK OF THE BUS WHITEMAN! Anyone out there have any Amtrak stories to tell?
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The problem is that out country has a split personality. Congress will spend weeks debating Amtrak subsidies and then turn around and vote billions for Highways without even thinking. To be consistent, if the Amtrak subsidy is such an afront to "capitalism" and the market, then government should stop subsidizing highways and turn everything into toll roads. If they did, my guess is that Amtrak wouldn't need a subsidy.

I took Amtrak several times when I was in school. The Central California Line that mirrors the 99 freeway. I can honestly say, it was much more comfortable than driving, and it took about the same time. My only complaint is that the last stop was bakersfield and I had to ride an Amtrak Bus to get the rest of the way. However, if I only had to go anywhere from the Bay Area, through the Central Valley, to Bakersfield, Amtrak is the way to go.